In 'War Is Beautiful', David Shields examines more than a decade of war photography that appeared on the front pages of *The New York Times*. He asks to what extent the selection and aesthetic presentation of these images distort the reality of war. By compiling photographs that are often strikingly beautiful, heroic or cinematic in style, Shields demonstrates how journalistic imagery not only informs but also shapes the way in which war and violence are experienced by the public. The book is thus both an impressive photographic record and a sharp critique of the relationship between photography, the media and military conflicts. (AI-generated content description)